Page 161 of The Twisted Beats

When he doesn’t give in, she swings her head in my direction. “So, Mr. Crowne. Why are you here on a Sunday?”

I swallow and straighten my back. “Your dad is helping me buy a house.”

“Really? Where?” She leans into me.

I inch away. “I don’t know. That’s why your dad is guiding me. I travel a lot and just decided to settle here in California.”

“Malibu is a divine area.” Something beautifully sinful swirls in her eyes. “I would snatch up a home there in a heartbeat if my daddy would let me move out.”

“Livianna…” His stern voice brings her attention back to him. “You can use my credit card, but I don’t want any surprises. The money is for clothes only.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” She slips further back into her chair and crosses her leg over the other.

I glance over. The sleek, defined muscles in her thighs try to force my gaze to them. I berate myself for even being tempted to sneak a peek.

“Excuse me, Jaxon.” He dips his chin to me and gets up from the table. “I need to retrieve my wallet from inside.”

He marches toward the house as I grow tense. I don’t trust this wild young lady sitting next to me, so I scoot my chair farther away from her.

She giggles. “What seems to be bothering you, Mr. Crowne?”

She trapped me into feeling uncomfortable and knows it. I decide to hit it head-on. Maybe it will teach her something.

“Nothing.” I stare coldly into her eyes like she can’t affect me. “I was just thinking you could use some discipline in your life.”

Her eyes widen as if I’ve slapped her. “I’m very disciplined.”

“Maybe I’m using the wrong term.”

“Then what would the right one be?”

“Maybe someone needs to teach you some boundaries.”

“Boundaries?” She bends over, shoving her breasts out. “Oh, are you wanting to be my daddy and tell me no? Give me a little spanking so I learn a lesson?”

My chest ignites. This girl before me, who thinks she’s a woman, knows how to put a man right where she wants him. It’s truly terrifying.

I say nothing for fear I’ll only regret it if I do. She’s only sixteen and I have to remember that’s where her twisted brain is functioning from.

She follows my line of sight and notices I’m still staring like an idiot down her shirt. An evil smile curls her lips.

“Oh, that’s why you’re looking at me like that.” She gestures to her chest. “I hope you got a good look because it’s the only time you ever will.”

“Livianna, that’s enough!” Her dad comes up behind her and slaps the credit card on the table. “Leave. We have business we need to get to, and you were just completely out of line.”

“But, Daddy?—”

“Not this time, Livianna. I saw you do it with my own eyes.” He points to the side of the house. “Go and get your shopping done.”

The metal of her chair scratches along the concrete as she dramatically pushes away. “Sorry, Daddy. He was being rude, so I responded out of spite.”

“Livianna, I said go.” He dismisses her with a wave of his hand.

Her hard expression shatters and sadness seeps in.

Her eyes gloss over, but then she straightens her back, turns to me, and glares. “Good luck on your home search, Mr. Crowne. I’m sure my daddy will find you the perfect place.”

She storms away. I try to get my head back on straight while measuring my breaths. No woman… I mean girl, has made me feel so disgusted.